I just bought a lee pro 1000 press and I want everything on hand to mount it before it arrives tomorrow . Im mounting it to a bench with a plywood top. Im putting 2 pieces of 1/2 inch plywood together to make a 1inch thick top. Would this be strong enough for the press or do I need to go up to 3/4 plywood? Then what size bolts do I need to mount the press through 1 in or 1 1/2 in plywood? Just seeing how thick the base is on the press where the bolts go. Also I will take suggestions on something other then plywood. But I think that will work the best. thanks in advace
question for pro 1000 owners
- Thread starter liscomb20
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LiveLife
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I have built quite a few reloading benches (wall mounted and portable castered) over the years and used CDX plywood, OSB (Oriented Strand Board) and hardwood veneered plywood reinforced with 2x4's. Although I like hardwood veneered plywood, it is costly and OSB is much lower in cost and will also provide a very stiff bench top when used with 2x4 frame.
Here's my 2'x3' portable reloading bench (2'x3' size will go through any doorway even from a narrow hallway and the bench will roll right into a closet for storage) built with 12-layer hardwood veneered plywood top and kiln dried 2x4 frame (plywood is screwed to the 2x4s using drywall screws and 2x4s are held with 10d nails and 2.5"-3" drywall screws - all the nail/screw holes were pilot drilled to prevent splitting of 2x4s) and mounted with Pro 1000 and C-H single stage press. Although the bench is fairly small in size and castered, when full-length sizing thicker walled military .308 cases on the single stage press, the bench top won't flex.
1/4" bolts 5 inches long are used to mount the Pro 1000 frame to the bench with nylon locking nuts.
Bottom of bench top showing 2x4 perimeter frame and another 2x4 mounted flat under the plywood as reinforcement (this 2x4 is secured to the 2x4 frame using 10d nails and screwed to the plywood - makes the top very stiff) and the bolt used is around 2.5-3 inches). You can also see the hole drilled through the reinforcement 2x4 to allow the spent primers to fall through.
Here's my 2'x3' portable reloading bench (2'x3' size will go through any doorway even from a narrow hallway and the bench will roll right into a closet for storage) built with 12-layer hardwood veneered plywood top and kiln dried 2x4 frame (plywood is screwed to the 2x4s using drywall screws and 2x4s are held with 10d nails and 2.5"-3" drywall screws - all the nail/screw holes were pilot drilled to prevent splitting of 2x4s) and mounted with Pro 1000 and C-H single stage press. Although the bench is fairly small in size and castered, when full-length sizing thicker walled military .308 cases on the single stage press, the bench top won't flex.
1/4" bolts 5 inches long are used to mount the Pro 1000 frame to the bench with nylon locking nuts.
Bottom of bench top showing 2x4 perimeter frame and another 2x4 mounted flat under the plywood as reinforcement (this 2x4 is secured to the 2x4 frame using 10d nails and screwed to the plywood - makes the top very stiff) and the bolt used is around 2.5-3 inches). You can also see the hole drilled through the reinforcement 2x4 to allow the spent primers to fall through.
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joecil
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I use the Lee Bench plate system with mine as I also have a Lee Classic Turret and a Lee Reloader Single stage. These plates are great in you can change out a complete press very quickly without much fuss, especially in a small area like I have to work in.
Got it done
well i got the top done to my bench. I went with two pieces of 3/4 plywood and lag bolted them together through my metal stand and then put a nice coat of gun stock stain and 2 coats of lacquer. Now its almost to nice to put my new press on it
Im going to wait tell I get the press and see where i need to drill the hole for the spent primers . I think it came out pretty nice. I think i could park a car on it
well i got the top done to my bench. I went with two pieces of 3/4 plywood and lag bolted them together through my metal stand and then put a nice coat of gun stock stain and 2 coats of lacquer. Now its almost to nice to put my new press on it
Im going to wait tell I get the press and see where i need to drill the hole for the spent primers . I think it came out pretty nice. I think i could park a car on itAttachments
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